Crescent Financial Bancshares of Raleigh, N.C., is going to transfer its stock listing from the Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange. The company also announced it will change its name to VantageSouth Bancshares.

The number of bank deals and the average sale price fell in the first half, but M&A activity could increase the rest of the year if investors keep bidding up the stocks of bank buyers.

CoBiz Financial (COBZ) in Denver plans to enter two new markets — Fort Collins and Colorado Springs — and create a private-banking division.

American Banker asked readers and staff members to recommend books for bankers to take on their summer vacations. Share your own suggestions in the Comments section below.

United Community Financial (UCFC) in Youngstown, Ohio, has been freed from a cease-and-desist order.

A larger-than-usual number of small banks, rising valuations for would-be acquirers, and lingering industry challenges are increasing the odds of deals in the Pennsylvania.

The long-anticipated collapse in mortgage applications, finally a reality, stands to take a bite out of bank earnings in the second quarter and beyond.

For years banks treated certificates of deposit almost as an afterthought. But with loan demand expected to pick up with the economy, some are eyeing ways to lock investors into longer-term CDs now — before rates inevitably rise.

UMB Financial in Kansas City, Mo., is planning to open its first branch in Texas, according to a report.

Roberto Herencia, a veteran of bank recapitalizations, drew on tough lessons of the past to guide BXM Holdings' challenging recapitalization of Metropolitan Bank Group in Chicago.

The Federal Reserve Board has lifted regulatory actions against Huntington Bancshares in Texas and Buckeye Bancshares in Ohio.

First Financial Northwest (FFNW) in Renton, Wash., has created a new position by hiring a chief operating officer for its bank.

Wealth management advisors must strike a balance between recognizing investment differences between men and women and avoiding stereotypes when courting female prospects.

Columbia Banking System's chief operating officer and executive vice president Mark Nelson will retire on Sept. 30.

CIB Marine Bancshares (CIBH) in Waukesha, Wis., has agreed to buy Avenue Mortgage in Naperville, Ill., CIB announced Monday. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.

AmericanWest Bank in Spokane, Wash., has agreed to sell five Pacific Northwest branches in separate transactions.

Consumer credit is showing signs of strength as Americans seek to shrug off the effects of the financial crisis, according to two sets of data released Monday.

Nasdaq has granted Broadway Financial (BYFC) in Los Angeles a six-month reprieve to raise its share price.

First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) in Billings, Mont., has named Kevin Riley its next chief financial officer. Riley is leaving Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BHLB) in Pittsfield, Mass., where he has been CFO since 2007.

Eastwood plans to acquire the Austin, Minn., branches of QCR's Community National Bank along with $30.8 million in loans and $36.8 million in deposits, the companies announced Monday.